Monday, July 25, 2011

Blaming the Victims and Claiming Victimization

Typically, the men Anders Breivik most admired are claiming to be his victims, although, remarkably, they are still alive. And some, like fan fave Bruce Bawer, are blaming Breivik's crimes on the evils of toleration:

It came as stunning news that Norway had been attacked by a blond, blue-eyed, anti-Islamic terrorist. It should not have been: Several of us who have written about the rise of Islam in Europe have warned that the failure of mainstream political leaders to responsibly address the attendant challenges would result in the emergence of extremists like Breivik.

If only mainstream politicians had been more bigoted, the private sector wouldn't have had to take action. Another failure of big government!

Then there's the no true wingnut defense:

In the second half [Breivik] describes himself as having revived the Knights Templar. He also outlines in extreme detail how he and his fellow anti-jihadists can acquire weapons, ammunition and body armor and thereupon proceed to use "terror as a method for waking up the masses" to the danger posed by Islam. This makes it clear he is completely insane.

In the same way that every terrorist is completely insane, a point apparently lost on our friend Bruce.

Finally, Bawer engages in some conditional weeping:

During the hours when I thought that Oslo had been attacked by jihadists, I wept for the city that has been my home for many years. And I hoped Norwegian leaders would respond to this act of violence by taking a more responsible approach to the problems they face in connection with Islam. When it emerged that these acts of terror were the work of a native Norwegian who thought he was striking a blow against jihadism and its enablers, it was immediately clear to me that his violence will deal a heavy blow to an urgent cause.

No weeping for the victims of Breivik, just for the lost opportunity to do something "responsible" -- what that is is not explained -- about those nasty Norwegian Mohammedens, who now also stand guilty of not killing 92 of their fellow citizens.

Update: More on the Real Victimwives of New Media from Roy Edroso, who said it better and earlier.